Port Blair, Sep 17: Braving the heavy rain and wind, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee along with other leaders visited the flood-affected Old Pahargaon Telugu Basthi area today (17.09.2023) evening and met the affected people. Following the heavy rain yesterday, water entered the said residential area and a large number of houses were submerged in the flash flood. Affected people told the CPI (M) leaders that a number of people lost their clothes, food items, books and uniforms of students besides causing damage to furniture and other household items. Residents have told the Secretary CPI (M) that it is a regular feature that during heavy rain, the area becomes inundated due to overflowing of a small katcha nallah passing through their area. Residents of the area complained to the CPI (M) leaders that their demand for construction of a proper drainage in place of the katcha drainage did not evoke any positive response from the Municipal authorities.
Secretary CPI (M) assured the residents that their demand will be taken up with the Secretary, Port Blair Municipal Council and other authorities for early construction of the proper drainage system in the area in order to prevent water logging.
CPI (M) leaders SP Kalairajan, PK Khalid and R. Surendran Pillai accompanied the CPI (M) Secretary during the visit.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya

Port Blair, Sept 15: Commuters of NH4 (ATR) are grappling with the daunting challenges posed by an ATR stretch of Baratang, which is currently one of the most treacherous road sections. Unfortunately, the completion of the ATR road upgrade project in this area remains uncertain, primarily due to forest restrictions.

Recent heavy rains have exacerbated the situation, triggering landslides and mudslides at multiple locations along the 17-kilometer national highway road in Baratang’s Middle Andaman region. The road connecting to the Kadamtala Bridge has also suffered damage from these landslides.

It is worth noting that the recent heavy rainfall in several Baratang areas has caused extensive road damage in multiple places. These cracks in the road have developed over the past couple of years, and during the monsoon season, they become particularly hazardous due to the slopes on the other side, which can soften the soil at these crack locations.

The Baratang Stretch of ATR encompasses a total of 22 kilometers of road, extending from Nilambur Jetty to Gandhi Ghat Jetty. Out of this length, 15 kilometers of the road are situated within forested areas, while only 7 kilometers fall under revenue jurisdiction.

Mrs. Sarla Krishnan, Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat Sundergarh, expressed concern, stating that they have been urging relevant authorities, including the administration, for several years to address the issue. She emphasized that the absence of retaining walls against the slope areas has led to numerous instances of road sliding. Given the daily movement of hundreds of heavy vehicles on the ATR road, even small landslides pose a serious risk of accidents. She appealed to the Andaman administration to urgently intervene and resolve the matter.

 

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, September 14: In a heart-wrenching incident following heavy rainfall and gusty winds, a colossal tree toppled onto a residence in Sitapur village, Rangat, resulting in the tragic death of a young boy and injuries to other family members.
As per villagers, the incident occurred around 11:45 PM on September 13, when a massive tree, situated on unstable soil in the backyard of Swapan Mandal’s house, fell with a deafening crash. Mr. Mandal, a long-time resident of Sitapur, narrowly escaped the catastrophe, along with his old mother, wife, two daughters, and one son.
The family had just finished dinner and retired to their beds when the horrifying event unfolded. The sudden collapse of the adjacent tree sent shockwaves through the house, causing minor injuries to all family members. Tragically, 17-year-old Akash Mandal, a Class 12 student at GSSS Rangat, bore the brunt of the falling tree branch, suffering fatal injuries to his chest and head.
Local residents swiftly responded to the emergency, rushing the injured family members to PHC Rangat. Regrettably, young Akash Mandal was declared brought dead due to severe internal injuries. One of the girls was admitted to the hospital for medical care.
In the aftermath of this calamity, a multitude of local residents, along with officials from various government departments, including Forest, Electricity, and the Police, joined forces to clear the debris left by the fallen tree. The Tehsil office also dispatched officers to assist in the cleanup effort.
Local villagers, along with Mrs. Laxmi Devi Pradhan from the Gram Panchayat, have united in their appeal to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. They urge swift action and the provision of compensation and support to aid the victims of this natural disaster.

Port Blair, Sep 13:In line with the endeavours of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to bolster the spirit of national pride across airports nationwide, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kuldeep Rai Sharma has proposed 24-Hour Illuminated High-Mast Tricolour at VSI International Airport, Port Blair.
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, the AAI has been instrumental in elevating the nation’s pride by installing high-mast, 24-hour illuminated tricolours at various airports.
He added that such monumental installations are not merely architectural feats but also amplify the aesthetic grandeur of the respective locations. They stand as beacons, instilling an unrivalled sense of patriotism among Indians, transforming our airports from mere transit points to revered landmarks of national pride.
He highlighted the recent inauguration of the new terminal building of VSI Airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The terminal is anticipated to become a prominent landmark, crucial for enhancing the islands’ connectivity and drawing in tourism.
The Member of Parliament added that considering Port Blair’s unique strategic importance, coupled with its appeal to both domestic and international tourists, the Member of Parliament proposed to install similar high-mast, 24-hour illuminated tricolour at VSI Airport, Port Blair.
He mentioned that such a move is expected to not only augment the airport’s allure but also echo with the Islanders’ deep-seated patriotic sentiments and that of the visiting tourists.

Vikramaditya
In an acknowledgment of Andaman & Nicobar’s talent, Shri Jag Jeevan Ram, a renowned designer from the islands, has crafted the widely-acclaimed logo for the North Tech 2023 Symposium. His exceptional artistic skills caught the attention of the Northern Army Command Headquarters, leading them to seek his expertise for this prestigious project.
While the North Tech Symposium primarily focuses on the advancements in the defence sector and the importance of indigenous production, the logo’s recognition shines a light on the islands’ budding talent.
As background, the North Tech Symposium, which took place on September 12, 2023, was a collaborative effort between the Northern Command of the Indian Army, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), and IIT Jammu.
Mr. Jeevan is working as Section Officer in the ICMR-RMRC, Port Blair and beside committed towards his official responsibilities, he also proved to be an emblem illustrator and providing services purely on honorary basis.
His aesthetic services have been of great help for many Government organizations and he has earned several appreciations at the national level for designing logos for International and National events including departmental insignias.
Mr. Jeevan is well-known for designing the basic design of 75 rupees coin unveiled by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at Port Blair on 30 Dec 1943 and also designing the official insignia of Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu Police.

Port Blair, Sept 11: On 10 Sep 23, the Indian Coast Guard District Headquarters at Campbell Bay coordinated the rescue of stranded fishing boat ‘Bhaskar III’ (IND-AN-SA-MM-2018). The boat with nine crew had left Port Blair for fishing on 25 Aug 23 and was operating near Little Nicobar when it became incapacitated on 08 Sep 23, as its propeller shaft got damaged in rough seas.

As a result the IFB started drifting in the open sea without sufficient food and water. During routine air surveillance ICG Dornier aircraft sighted the IFB, with its crew waving their hands to draw attention of the aircraft. Understanding that the boat seemed to be in distress, the ICG aircraft passed the information to the nearest ICG Station at Campbell Bay. On receipt of the distress, ICG Ship Rajkiran was diverted towards the position of the boat.

The ship proceeded with best speed towards the fishing boat, braving the rough seas, inclement weather and strong winds. On arrival at the position, ICGS Rajkiran established communication with the boat and tried to rectify the defect. However, due to lack of spares the defect could not be rectified at sea and the boat was taken under tow to the nearest harbour, Campbell Bay.

ICGS Rajkiran entered Campbell Bay harbour in the early morning hours of 11 Sep 23 and the distressed boat was handed over to the local fisheries authorities. The rescue operation was undertaken with alacrity and resulted in saving of nine precious lives at sea. The operation validated the commitment of ICG in providing assistance to mariners in distress at sea, in line with the ICG Motto of “Vayam Raksham” meaning “We Protect”.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Sept 10: In a heart-warming incident on Sunday morning, an ailing 72-year-old man living alone in Mayabunder was swiftly rescued by local police and admitted to the hospital.
Mr. Nirmal Sethi, a resident of Mayabunder Bazar near Ram Temple, found himself in grave health conditions. Being alone, with his family based in the mainland, he managed to alert the Police Station in Mayabunder about his deteriorating health and inability to move.
Responding promptly to the distress call, a police team led by Sub Inspector Mr. Dinesh Meena, and accompanied by Mr. B.Dilleshwar Rao PC/99, Nahore PC/2518, and Mr. Manesh Lall PC/2706, arrived at Mr. Sethi’s residence. They found him dehydrated, malnourished, and in urgent need of medical care.
Mr. Sethi was immediately taken to the Mayabunder District Hospital. Fortunately, after the necessary treatment, he is now in stable condition. The prompt and compassionate action of the Mayabunder police has been appreciated by people of Mayabunder region, reminding us of the invaluable service Police jawans provide beyond just law enforcement.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Sept 07: Port Blair’s Directorate of Shipping Counter has become a pain point for passengers, with 11 of its 12 reservation ticket counters currently out of service. The dysfunction has left many passengers stranded in prolonged queues, waiting for their turn at the lone operational counter.
Despite noteworthy advancements in the Shipping Department over the past years, including the introduction of online ticket reservations, the ground reality remains starkly different. Challenges faced by inter-island commuters seem never-ending. Acquiring ship reservation tickets at the Head Quarter Shipping Phoenix Bay Reservation counter has turned into an arduous task, exacerbated by the closed enquiry and reservation counters. Despite 12 ticket counters at the facility, passengers often find just one open, even on peak days.
Mr. Kajal Das, the Mondal President of BJP, voiced his frustrations to Andaman Sheekha Daily, “Why maintain 11 counters when only one is consistently used? It’s inconvenient for all passengers, including those merely seeking information. The situation is especially dire on busy days.” He expressed hope that media attention might bring forth the much-needed changes and relief.
Another passenger from Swaraj Dweep commented on the deplorable state of service, emphasizing the inconsiderate treatment of senior citizens forced to wait in lengthy lines. “This isn’t what customer service should look like,” he lamented.
When Andaman Sheekha Daily reached out to a senior officer of the Directorate of Shipping Services for a comment, the officer acknowledged the issues and attributed them to technical glitches. “After the onset of online booking, many have opted for the digital route. Nevertheless, we understand the importance of on-site counters. We have already instructed the department to keep two counters open – one for males and the other for women and senior citizens. We’re working on resolving the technical issues, and we assure the public that two counters will be operational soon.”